PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Owendale scandium project, in New South Wales, could deliver 30 t of 99.9% purity scandium oxide over 70 years, ASX-listed Platina Resources reported on Tuesday.
A scoping study into the Owendale project considered a simple openpit mining operation producing about 50 000 t/y of ore for treatment and concentration on site, based on an indicated and inferred resource of 24-million tonnes.
Mining was expected to take place between two to three times a year in small campaigns from shallow openpit mines.
The study estimated that the project would require a capital investment of A$73.5-million, with life-of-mine all-in cash costs estimated at A$598/kg of scandium oxide.
“The scoping study results show what we have always understood; that Owendale can be Australia’s first scandium mine with further optional platinum credits and nickel and cobalt,” said Platina MD and CEO Robert Mosig.
“We will commence our environmental, prefeasibility and final bankable feasibility studies as soon as possible, subject to secure the requisite financing.”
Mosig note that offtake discussions would also continue with existing and new parties, while Platina progressed the remaining feasibility studies to secure binding agreements.